The leaders of Guilford, Branford, Madison and East Haven, including Guilford First Selectman Joe Mazza, found out today their pleas last week for a closer FEMA disaster relief center did not fall on deaf ears. A Guilford FEMA center will open in the police department, 400 Church St. (Community Room) beginning this Thurs. Sept. 15.

Up until this point, shoreline residents had to travel to centers in either North Haven or Orange.

The following comes from a press release issued by the office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy:

Today, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that two additional FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will open Thursday (Sept. 15) in East Haven and Guilford for purposes of assisting home owners and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Irene.

"Opening these two additional offices in East Haven and Guilford will allow more accessible assistance to residents who live in areas that were particularly hard hit by the storm," Governor Malloy said. "Any individual or business who has suffered losses or damages as a result of Tropical Storm Irene should visit a center and work with the staff there to review what benefits to which they may be entitled."

The East Haven DRC office will be located in the East Haven Beach House at 160 Cosey Beach Avenue, while the Guilford office will be in the Guilford Police Department's Community Room at 400 Church Street.

Both offices will open Thursday, September 15 at noon and will remain open until 7PM. After the first day, the regular hours will be Monday through Saturday from 9AM to 7PM and Sunday from 10AM to 3PM. The office will be staffed by FEMA, the Small Business Association and the American Red Cross.

Those with damage or losses as a result of the tropical storm are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting the recovery center by either calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), going online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by using any PDA device at m.fema.gov. For those with speech or hearing disabilities, the TTY number is 800-462-7585.


It is also important to note that residents who have already provided damage information to their towns, FEMA, state officials or 2-1-1 must still register with FEMA.